Vatican: report reveals barriers and challenges to preventing abuse in the Church

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, established by Pope Francis to defend the dignity of minors and vulnerable adults in the Church, has published its first annual report.

Pope Francis established this commission in March 2014 as a consequence of the “painful events” of sexual abuse that have imposed “a profound examination of conscience on the part of the Church.”

With the request for forgiveness from the victims and society for the evil caused, these events led, according to the Pontiff, “to firmly initiate initiatives of various types with the intention of repairing the damage, doing justice and preventing, with all means “Similar episodes may be repeated in the future.”

The Holy Father promoted this commission “with the objective of promoting appropriate initiatives for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults,” as well as encouraging, together with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, “the responsibility of the Churches for their protection.” .

The purpose of the report, published this October 29 and which represents the fusion of learning throughout the first ten years, is to inform the Holy Father, the victims, and the entire Church “of the necessary findings and recommendations,” as well as how to promote “the transformation of the Church” through clear criteria and guidelines.

To promote these initiatives, the report has been based on four fundamental pillars: “Conversion that distances us from evil, truth, justice and reparation and guarantee of non-repetition.”

The “findings” of the commission

As a result of what they define as a “systematic analysis of a synodal nature,” the report presents different “findings.”

Firstly, it highlights the need to improve the canonical processes for receiving and monitoring complaints, as well as applying the concept of vulnerability to the current provisions of the Church and ensuring effective management of cases of sexual abuse referred to the Holy See. .

They also aim to achieve a simplified process, the development of the Church’s Magisterium on this protection, support victims in their healing with damage and compensation policies and promote the professionalism of those who dedicate themselves to it.

The commission reviews between 15 and 20 local churches each year. During this process, the bishops and religious superiors exchange with the commission a series of data that are presented later during the visits. at the threshold.

In the report published today, the results of the episcopal conferences of countries such as Mexico, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Belgium and Cameroon, among others, are reported in detail. Likewise, it includes the analysis of the religious institutes of the Missionary Sisters of the Consolata and the Congregation of the Holy Spirit.

Global challenges regarding abuse

Although the results within the local Churches are very diverse depending on the context, the report points out a “worrying lack of a reporting structure and victim care services” that still do not exist in some countries, as required by the Motu Proprio. You are the light of the world (You are the light of the world).

The authors of the report also advocate creating a “true culture” of protection of minors and promote “solidarity among episcopal conferences.” They also highlight the need to promote this cooperation, especially in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia.

The commission also highlights the need for the Roman Curia to become a reference for sharing good practices in protection matters. Thus, he insists that the lack of transparency fosters “distrust among the faithful,” especially the victims.

For this reason, efforts have been made to disseminate “trauma-sensitive” accompaniment approaches in a special way in the different dicasteries.

Proposals for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith

Regarding the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, it is emphasized that the lack of information “and the long canonical processes can cause re-traumatization in the victims.” For this reason, the commission encourages the DDF to have adequate resources as well as to train local ecclesial leaders in canon law. In addition, it suggests exploring greater transparency in the activities of the Disciplinary Section.

The challenges in Mexico

In the case of Mexico, the “cultural barriers and complexities in collaboration with civil authorities” are highlighted, which hinders reporting and makes the justice process difficult.

These difficulties, according to the report, are related to stigmas and legislative and geographical variations in the states of Mexico, which causes many faithful to prefer to go to ecclesiastical authorities instead of civil ones. Despite the commitment to encourage civil complaints, “the challenge of establishing trust with the judicial system” persists.

In addition, it expresses concern about the delays in the procedures of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, “which can cause new trauma to the victims and their families and generate difficulties for the bishops in their support” to those who have suffered abuse. The commission also points out the need to “increase resources for protection training and accompaniment services.”

Learning and listening to victims

They also stand out in the mission that the Church has to help combat abuse in society, wherever it occurs, especially with the help of Caritas organizations through the initiative Bookmark.

Furthermore, based on the listening process, a correspondence protocol has been developed, consultative groups of survivors have been established to integrate recommendations, and a group of victims has collaborated on this pilot report.